Professor Allen agreed to Luis's condition: if they didn't find Celebi by tomorrow, they would leave.
Seeing Professor Allen nod, Luis's expression softened slightly.
"All right, everyone, if you've rested enough, let's move out."
Professor Allen approached the survey team members. As scholars, they weren't physically strong, and the forest's challenging environment only made things harder for them.
As a result, they couldn't cover much ground in a single day.
The team members got up one by one, and Professor Allen took the lead while Luis stayed at the back to watch over them.
Professor Allen himself was once a Trainer at the early pseudo-Elite level, but his focus on research over the years had caused his training skills to decline.
"Professor, did Celebi really fly deeper into the forest?"
Asked Bill, one of Professor Allen's students.
They had long lost sight of Celebi. When they first spotted it, they saw it heading toward the deeper regions of the White Mountain Range.
Since then, they had been moving further into the forest, but they still hadn't seen any trace of Celebi.
There was no way to be sure if it was still deeper in or if it had flown elsewhere.
Celebi was known as the guardian of forests and has been sighted in many large forests across the world.
About a decade ago, there was a massive wildfire in a national park in Celestria. Even a Champion Trainer couldn't extinguish it. But Celebi appeared and put an end to the fire.
Wherever Celebi appears, the land flourishes with vibrant greenery and blooming flowers. That national park was restored to its former glory thanks to Celebi's help.
"As the guardian of forests, it's most likely to appear in the deepest part of the forest, which is the central region of the White Mountain Range," Professor Allen said.
The central region of the White Mountain Range was vast, but finding Celebi there was still uncertain at best.
Considering they only had a day to search, reaching the center at their current pace seemed impossible.
Perhaps Professor Allen had other ideas in mind.
"The ability to travel through time… it's truly incredible," Bill said with a look of awe and yearning.
The more one researched Pokémon, the more one came to understand their extraordinary nature—especially legendary and mythical Pokémon.
Pokémon possessed unique abilities, but only a few of those abilities truly captured humanity's imagination and desire.
Celebi's time-traveling power was undoubtedly one of them, as time itself was irreversible.
The thought of traveling to the past to fix old regrets, meet deceased loved ones, or seize opportunities that once belonged to others—it was exhilarating just to imagine.
"cel~"
As they spoke, a small green Pokémon with transparent wings was happily flying above the forest canopy.
Wherever it passed, all the trees gently swayed as if welcoming it. With each flutter of its wings, faint silver light scattered, and the trees seemed to exude a joyous emotion.
Dragonite racing through the sky spotted the mysterious creature ahead. It intended to avoid it, but the small figure deliberately floated into its path.
Dragonite observed the tiny Pokémon in front of it. With those dark circles under its eyes, it looked like it hadn't slept in ages.
Celebi tilted its head, curiously examining Dragonite.
This part of the forest was its domain, and it recognized all the Pokémon here—except for this unfamiliar Dragonite.
Dragonite: "Little one, have you seen a group of humans in this forest?"
"Cel~"
Celebi flew up to Dragonite, poking its round belly with its small hands. The bouncy sensation amused it greatly.
Poke
Poke
And poke some more
Dragonite: 'Did I just run into an idiot?'
Recalling Julian's task, Dragonite didn't want to waste time. It gently moved Celebi aside with one hand.
But Celebi quickly zipped back in front of it, pointing downward.
Dragonite looked down, seeing nothing but treetops. However, it soon sensed human presence below.
'No way. That can't be them, can it?'
With a silent thought, Dragonite dove toward the ground. Celebi cheerfully plopped onto its head, holding onto its horn.
Nearby, a Froslass suddenly appeared beside Luis.
Luis quickly shouted, "There's a strong enemy above! Everyone, take cover!"
The next second, the treetops shook violently, and Dragonite's massive form emerged.
Dragonite: 'Found you'
Dragonite immediately recognized Luis and locked eyes with him.
"A Dragonite?!"
Luis's expression darkened as his hand instinctively moved toward Beartic's Poké Ball, his bodyguard Pokémon.
The aura radiating from this Dragonite screamed Elite level—without a doubt.
However, the Dragonite didn't attack, nor did it show any hostility.
"This aura… It's Brother Julian's Dragonite!!"
Luis, who had beginner-level Aura abilities, felt the familiar wave of energy emanating from Dragonite. Its unusually large size further confirmed its identity.
But wasn't Dragonite still at pseudo-Elite level just a month ago? It hadn't even reached the peak! How had it become an Elite in such a short time?
'Did I accidentally travel through time? Maybe it hasn't been days but several years instead'
A thick fog of doubt filled Luis's mind.
Dragonite nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"Cel~"
Celebi peeked out from behind Dragonite's head, curiously eyeing Luis.
It found this human rather likable.
Trainers with Aura abilities were naturally appealing to Pokémon, especially gentle-natured ones like Celebi.
"Celebi!!" x2
Professor Allen and Luis both shouted in unison.
The mythical Pokémon they had spent so long searching for had unexpectedly appeared before them in this way.
Perhaps their loud voices startled Celebi. The little Pokémon flinched and quickly ducked behind Dragonite's back, peeking out cautiously with only its tiny head visible.
"Quick, Luis! Let's catch it!"
Professor Allen was overjoyed. Celebi had practically delivered itself to them. Without hesitation, he tossed a Poké Ball, releasing a Mr. Mime.
Luis had considered capturing Celebi earlier, but now that he saw it perched so comfortably on Dragonite and the two seemed to share a friendly bond.
'Maybe this Celebi has a connection with Brother Julian?'
'I will be out of my mind to risk provoking it then'
"Mr. Mime, use Psychic to control that Celebi!"
Before Luis could stop him, Professor Allen eagerly gave the command, completely ignoring Dragonite beside Celebi.
"Cel~"
Celebi tilted its head in confusion. It didn't understand why this human was suddenly attacking it. Just as it prepared to flee, Dragonite swatted the incoming Psychic energy away with a casual flick of its claw.
"Roooaaar!!"
Dragonite let out a thunderous growl, glaring down at Professor Allen. If this man weren't someone Julian was looking for, Dragonite would have taught him a lesson on the spot.
Though it had only just met Celebi a few moments ago, the little Pokémon's warm and trusting aura stirred a protective instinct within Dragonite.
Dragonite: "This little one is under my protection. Touch it if you dare."
Celebi was very moved.
While the aura of an Elite-level Pokémon emanated from Dragonite, causing Mr. Mime to collapse to the ground in fear. Even the survey team below turned pale, struggling to breathe under the overwhelming pressure.
*****
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